Leonhart Out as DEA Head

Michele Leonhart at one of the many hearings where she defended the DEA. (Photo by Associated Press)

It took a sex scandal by DEA agents for the White House to finally lower the boom on DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart. Her retirement will take effect next month.

Agents having parties with prostitutes paid for by the drug cartel in Colombia forced the White House to act. Seven agents have been suspended for their activities.

A holdover from the Bush Administration, Leonhart had long been viewed as antithetical to Pres. Obama's efforts to rein in the drug war. She opposed the president's cautious support of marijuana legalization in Colorado and Washington. In 2010, Leonhart was promoted from Acting Administrator to her current position.

Who will replace Leonhart is the question. “I encourage the president to use this as an opportunity to fill this important role with someone who understands the outdated federal approach to marijuana isn’t working,” says Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer. “The American public has moved on. Most now feel marijuana should be legalized.”